On Monday, September 22, 2025, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) released an official statement following a critical clarification from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This clarification addresses the substantial hike in H-1B visa fees, which was set to increase to an unprecedented $100,000 under a recent proclamation by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Previously, on September 19, USCIS had published an FAQ, framing the new fee structure as an ‘important, initial, and incremental step’ aimed at reforming the H-1B visa program to prevent misuse and safeguard American jobs.
NASSCOM highlighted that further clarifications from the White House on September 20, 2025, confirmed that the $100,000 fee would be a one-time payment applicable only to new H-1B visa applications, not existing visa holders. This crucial update has significantly reduced immediate uncertainty regarding eligibility and timelines, easing worries about business continuity and the status of H-1B holders currently outside the U.S.
Furthermore, NASSCOM noted that the fee’s implementation from 2026 offers companies valuable time to intensify their local skilling initiatives and hiring efforts within the U.S. The Indian tech industry is already investing over a billion dollars in American upskilling and local recruitment, leading to a substantial increase in domestic hires.
According to NASSCOM, Indian and India-centric firms operating in the U.S. have progressively lessened their reliance on H-1B visas, opting instead for a consistent increase in local hires. Data indicates a decline in H-1B visas issued to top Indian and India-centric companies, from 14,792 in 2015 to 10,162 in 2024. For these prominent companies, H-1B workers constitute less than 1% of their total workforce, suggesting only a minor overall impact on the sector from the new fee.
NASSCOM reiterated that the H-1B program facilitates the mobility of highly skilled workers and serves as a non-immigrant visa designed to fill crucial skill gaps in the U.S. workforce. These professionals receive salaries comparable to their local counterparts, and their numbers represent only a tiny fraction of the total U.S. workforce.
NASSCOM has consistently championed predictable and stable frameworks for skilled talent mobility, recognizing their vital role in maintaining national competitiveness and fostering U.S. innovation and economic growth. Such mobility is essential for businesses to make strategic investments, drive research, and solidify their nation’s standing in the global innovation landscape.